DeMeulenaere returns as leading scorer

BELLE PLAINE — The Belle Plaine boys’ basketball team finished second in the South Iowa Cedar League East last season with a 16-7 overall record.

The Plainsmen advanced to the second round of the playoffs before being defeated by Gladbrook-Reinbeck.

“It was a special season,” Belle Plaine head coach Brant DeMeulenaere said. “It was a group that slowly came together with three seniors that started together since sophomore year.”

The three departed seniors — Wyatt Kuch, Jax Stamp and Riley Simmons — accounted for 67% of the Plainsmen’s offense last season.

The Plainsmen’s leading scorer from last season, Sam DeMeulenaere, an all-conference honoree, will return this season. DeMeulenaere averaged 16.3 points per game last season.

“Sam will be the head horse of our nucleus this year,” Brant DeMeulenaere said.

Ty Alcott will also be back this season. Alcott missed last season due to a knee injury suffered from football season.

Alcott is coming off a strong football season, leading the Plainsmen to a 7-2 record.

The rest of the Plainsmen’s core will be made up of younger guys.

“We’re going to have some younger guys step up and start their journey,” DeMeulenaere said. “We have some young, talented depth.”

The Plainsmen’s style of play in recent years has been to hammer the ball in the paint. Although that strategy will remain, things will look different this season.

“Personnelwise, we are more guard oriented and will look to spread the ball out more this season,” DeMeulenaere said.

The Plainsmen have been a model of consistency the last 10 seasons, tallying at least 13 wins each year.

The season for the Plainsmen begins with three road games: Dec. 2 at North Tama, Dec. 5 at Baxter and Dec. 6 at English Valleys.